Inclinometer



Patented May 3, 1927. i

UNITED STATES `ENOS FRANKLIN ARNOLD, vorLoNG BEACH; CALIFORNIA.

i y INcLINoI/IETER.

This invention relates to Vinclinometers,.

particularly adapted torv association with motor vehcles in order that the upl or down grades or roads, upon which the so equipped vehicle is traveling, .may be readily determined. Y

Theprimary object of the invention is to substantially improve, simplify, and reduce the cost of manufacture and sale of ypreviously patented and used devices ot this character.

Other objects will become apparent as the nature of the invention will be better understood, the same comprises the novel form, combination, and arrangement ot parts hereinatter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the 'drawing forming part of this application, and in which like numerals desi gnate like parts through the several views:

Figure 1 is a proved inclinometer securing means;

Figure 2 is a View partly in elevation and partly in cross section showing the device as associated with a vehicle, one of the retaining plates ot the inclinometer being removed;` Y

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the entire device;

Figure 4l is a front elevation oi the inclinometer gageper se; and

Figure 5 is a. detail vertical cross section more clearly disclosing the shape of the gage member and the plate torn'iing the retaining seat theret'or.

New having.particular reference to the drawing, my novel. inclinonieter constitutes the provision oit a colored-liquid carrying gage member 5 that is preferably of square shape as shown in Figure 2,7and is of glass or other suitable transparent material. Said gage member consists of a marginal liquid receiving channel 6, and a central web portion 7 that forms square shaped depressions 8 8 upon opposite sides of the gage member, Figure 5. The liquid receiving channel 6 is formed at its top edge with a -liller opening 1() that is normally closed with a cap 11 in order that the supply of fluid within thev channel oi the gage member may be renioved'or replenished as desired.

lAdapted to be secured in a suitable manner to the forward side of the liquid carrying gage member 5 is a gage plate 9 formed .are

centrally with a-vertical slot 9 at olpositesides oi" which and at opposite en side elevation ot my im-v Applicationvled January 8, 1926. Serial No. 870,078.

graduation marks starting from the center of theplate as clearly shown in Figure 4..V The gage member 5 is secured betweeny a pair lel: relatively. square shape metallical plates 12-12 that are formed with central depressions 13-13 forfintertitting relation Vwith the depressions 8-8 of said gagemember, Figure 5, in order that thegage member .will not move therebetween. The upper and lower edges of these plates extend above 'the respective kedges of the gage member and are interconnected through the medium of y bolt and nut fasteners 14.

At the forward ends of said plate 12-12 outwardly extending wings 15-15 are provided, each ot which is providedv centrally with an opening 16 in order that an oval shaped front cover plate 17 may be secured thereto. This plate 17 is also formed with an outwardly bulged portion 18 which has set therein a strip of glass 19that is supported by and insulated from the front side of the gage by an oval shaped packing strip 20, Figure 2.

sev

Said assembled inclinometer is adapted to Vbe disposed through an opening cV inthe instrument board A of a motor vehicle and there vsecured by reason of bolt and nut connections 2l between the plate 17 and said instrument board, also clearly shown in said Figure 2.

the forward portion of the channel 6 willY rise or tall, and indicate the .inclination by reason oi' the graduations upon the plate 9, it beingobvious that said bulg-ed portion 18 Vof the member 17 is formed centrally with an opening 23 for allowing the graduations upon the plate to be properly viewed.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that I have provided a highly novel, simple, and Y relative inexpensive -form of inclinometerj for motor'vehicles that is well adapted 4for A' all the purposes designated.

Having thus described my invention, what Ik claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent isv 1. In an inelinometer of the class described adapted to be supported within an opening* oir' a vehicle instrument board, a relatively square shaped transparent vessel including a Central web portion and a marginal liquid channel for providing" depressionsupon the opposite sides of the vessel,

said vessel being partly filled with aliquid a pair of plate members adaptedto be supported upon the opposite sides of the Vessel and having` depressions therein for intel-litting' relation with the depressions of the vesse'h and graduations upon the front side of the vessel whereby the inclination may be ascertained by reason of the rise or Jfall of the liquid Within the forward-side of the marginal channel.

2. In an inelinoine-ter of the class de scribed adapted to be supported Within an openingr of a Vehicle` instrument board7 a relatively square shaped transparent vessel including` a" central Web portion and a marginal liquid channel forfprovidingdeprea sions upon the opposite sides of the vessel, said vessel being' half filled with a colored liquid, Va pair of plate members adapted to be supported upon the opposite sides ol the vesselY and having depressions formed therein for interittingrelation with the depressions of the vessel, graduations upon the 'front side of the vessel whereby the inclination may be ascertained by reason ot the rise or fall of the liquid Within the forward side of the marginal channel, and n'i'eans Carried by the Vforward edges of the platea 'whereby the inclinometer may be secured within the opening of the instrument board.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

ENOS FRANKLIN ARNOLD. 

